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Now that hybrid work schedules have become the norm for office workers, the best way to ensure productivity is to ensure they are happy and feel a sense of connection to the company and each other.
That’s the consensus among suburban companies that must deal with a shift in the post-pandemic work environment. As for how to do this, they say trust, communication and making intentional decisions are key.
give trust
First and foremost, employees need to feel trusted, said Mike Mejia, human resources manager at Hampton, Lenzini and Renwick Inc., an Elgin-based engineering firm.
He said the company has 97 employees spread across five locations in Illinois, with about 65% choosing to return to the office, 25% working in a hybrid model and a handful working entirely remotely.
“It starts with treating our employees like adults and giving them full trust,” he said. “We don’t have supervisors who are micromanaging and checking in constantly.”
At Schaumburg-based Zurich North America, managers are given support to ensure they in turn are effectively supporting their teams, said Tracy Lampert, the company’s director of employee experience and culture.
“We believe in happiness and the importance of letting people take care of themselves, because if you can take care of yourself, that’s good for everyone.”
retain employees
Having satisfied employees ensures higher retention rates, which in turn increases productivity. Generous benefits, ample paid time off, performance-based bonuses and help paying off student loans are all ways to keep employees happy, Mejia said.
This year, Hampton, Lenzini and Renwick also launched new “lifestyle” spending accounts that allow employees to spend up to $2,000 a year on physical wellness, such as gym memberships and exercise equipment; and financial and family wellness, such as child care and pet care. ; and emotional wellness, such as counseling, massage and music subscriptions.
Nicholas Wennerstrom, director of human resources at Mundelein-based Poly-clip System, said the company’s benefits include monthly visits to the office by a food truck and rewards for employees who perform well.
For the latter, the company uses gifting site Snappy.
“For example, we give out Snappy Awards if someone goes above and beyond for a customer, like home furnishings, Bluetooth headphones, and other things,” Wennerstrom said.
charity events
Employers say fostering a sense of community can increase employees’ desire to be more productive, and participating in charitable activities is a great way to achieve this.
For example, several hours were set aside during Hampton, Lenzini and Renwick’s all-staff meetings last month for staff to decorate “superhero capes” for foster children. At last year’s meeting, staff prepared care packages for mothers entering the shelter. “It was an intimate experience,” Mejia said.
Zurich North America also offers plenty of opportunities for employees to get involved, Lambert said.
For example, its staff recently visited Palatine School students through Junior Achievement, a Chicago nonprofit that prepares young people for success. Lambert said employees have been doing volunteer work in Palatine Township for more than a decade, providing services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
communicate effectively
Wennerstrom said about 30 Poly-clip System employees are operating a hybrid schedule in Mundelein, where the German company has its North American headquarters, and about 30 sales and service employees are working remotely.
The key to ensuring employees are productive, he said, is to have effective leaders who communicate regularly via phone calls, emails and internal company chats. Employees working remotely must keep their cameras on during virtual meetings, which can hold them accountable and enhance communication.
“Communication is critical to our operations and indeed any operation,” he said.
It’s also beneficial for employees to have the opportunity to put down work and simply chat with each other, so the Poly-clip System offers regular virtual “happy hour” times, which are alcohol-free. Wennerstrom said he plans to introduce the Sporcle app into happy hours so employees can have fun with some friendly trivia contests.
Mejia said clear communication includes letting employees know exactly how to advance.
To that end, Hampton, Lenzini and Renwick developed a “Path to Success” roadmap that outlines exactly how employees in each position can advance through, for example, earning continuing education credentials, having a certain level of experience, and working on specific types of projects. “This takes politics out of promotions,” Mejia said.
intentional decision
Lambert said Zurich North America has about 10,000 employees in the United States and Ghana, about 65% of whom work hybrid hours, with the remainder working remotely.
Lambert said managers set clear targets and regularly discussed performance with employees, and the management of mixed timetables was well thought out. “When we are in the office we are very intentional about the work we do, such as collaborating and planning, whereas at home it is more ‘heads down’ and working independently.”
Wennerstrom says it’s also important to ensure employees have the right working environment at home, so Poly-clip System offers ergonomic standing desks for everyone.
Lambert said that while they are in the office, employees are encouraged to work in various spaces throughout the building rather than sitting at a desk all day. “There’s a lot of energy in the building,” she said. “People will say, ‘Oh my gosh, I missed that connection.'”
Wennerstrom said it’s also important to include employees’ perspectives in the decision-making process.
Poly-clip System conducts annual employee surveys and special surveys for specific measures. “Making siled leadership decisions without employee input is not a good idea,” he said.
overall trend
Erica Valer
Courtesy of Erica Valle
Erika Waehler, owner of Express Career Professionals in Libertyville, said office work in general is making a comeback. The company is a workforce management company that works with organizations and industries across Lake County. She said the share of employees working fully remotely has dropped from a high of more than 80% in 2020 to less than 20% now and is still falling.
Even if employees enjoy working in the office, they value flexible, hybrid schedules, Valle said. Working from home a few days a week can help employees focus better, save money and spend more time with their families, she said.
“People value work-life balance and are more productive when they have those options.”
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